Interspecific tree named ‘PLUMRED X’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interspecific tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium to large size, vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during late August, with first picking on Aug. 28, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, mostly red with grayish yellow mottling in skin color, clingstone in type, nearly globose in shape, and red in flesh color.

Botanical classification: Prunus sp.

Varietal denomination: ‘Plumred X’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, the inventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Plumred X’.

During a typical blooming season I isolate as seed parents both individual and groups of different plum trees by covering them with screen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside each such house, and bouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot, and interspecific plum-apricot hybrid trees are placed in buckets near the trees approximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During 2003 one such house containing an unpatented purple plum, code named 42P1156, was crossed by me in this manner. To pollinate this purple plum, I selected bouquets from several sources of apricot and interspecific plum-apricot hybrid trees without keeping specific written details. Upon reaching maturity the fruit from this plum tree was harvested and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified and germinated as a group with the label “H12”. They were grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse and upon reaching dormancy transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the summer of 2006 the claimed variety was selected by me as a single plant from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of interspecific tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to ‘September YUMMY’ plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220) by being self-unfruitful and by producing fruit that is mostly red in skin color, that is clingstone in type, and that is very good in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, that has red and yellow mottling on the skin, that is dark red in flesh color, and that matures about two weeks earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present interspecific variety is characterized by a medium to large size, vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. The present variety's abundance of blossoms and pollen entices strong bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during late August, with first picking on Aug. 28, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, mostly red with grayish yellow mottling in skin color, clingstone in type, nearly globose in shape, and red in flesh color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, two half fruits divided to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, and two insets depicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appeared on the tree during the blooming season.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description was developed at the state of firm ripe on Sep. 10, 2007, on the original tree during its fourth growing season. The flower and bud descriptions were developed during the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

Parentage

-   Seed parent: 42P1156 plum (unpatented). -   Pollen parent: Unknown.

Tree

-   Size: Medium to large, reaching a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and a     spread of 9′ [2.74 m.] after four growing seasons utilizing typical     dormant pruning. -   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and     fertilization. The variety grows about 4′ [1.22 m.] of surplus     top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown     on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes. -   Growth: Upright and dense. -   Form: Pruned to a vase form. -   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters. -   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central     California climatic conditions, which typically include extended     periods of heat. -   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and     requires regular irrigation. -   Production: Very productive, thinning usually necessary. -   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a     suitable mid seasonal blooming apricot, interspecific, or plum, such     as ‘September YUMMY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220). -   Bearing: Regular bearer, with no crop failures observed. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 3¼″ [83 mm.]             after the fourth growing season.         -   Texture.—Shaggy.         -   Bark color.—A Brownish gray [64. brGy] and Dark grayish             brown [62. d.gy.Br] variegation with Deep orange yellow [69.             deep OY] crevices present.         -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:             Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4             mm.]. Shape: Elongated, eye-shaped. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 2″ [50.8 mm.] measured 12″ above             the crotch, 1″ [25.4 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.         -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing             roughness with age.         -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Moderate brown [58. m.Br]. 1st             Year Wood Underside: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG]. Older             Wood: Brownish gray [64. brGy].         -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 90 on second             year wood. Color: Light grayish yellowish brown [79.             l.gy.yBr]. Average Size: 1/64″ [0.4 mm.]. Shape: Elongated,             rectangular. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 4½″ [114 mm.]. Average Width:             1¾″ [45 mm.].         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Acute with an average angle base angle of 65 degrees.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].             Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].         -   Margin.—Finely serrate.         -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness:             1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green [116.             brill.YG], often Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] where             exposed to direct sunlight.         -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.             Average Length: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow             green [120. m.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43.             m.rBr] with age.         -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Alternately             positioned at the intersection of the petiole and the leaf             blade. Size: Medium. Form: Globose. Color: Light yellow             green [119. l.YG] becoming Dark red [16. d.R] with age. Leaf             buds: Pointed, medium. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California             winters.         -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Form.—Not appressed.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Tip color.—White [263. White]. -   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,     typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations     alternately positioned.     -   -   Average flower diameter.—1 1/16″ [27.0 mm.].         -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.         -   Petal shape.—Oval to circular.         -   Petal margin.—Entire, smooth to slightly wavy.         -   Average petal diameter.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Average petal length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Petal apex.—Rounded.         -   Petal base.—Obtuse.         -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.         -   Anther color.—Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY].         -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].         -   Sepal Color.—Strong yellow green [117. s.YG] with some Light             grayish red [18. l.gy.R] tinge on the outer surface.         -   Sepal length.— 5/32″ [4.0 mm.].         -   Sepal width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].         -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and             length.         -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth, with slight serration toward             the apex.         -   Average pistil length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Average stamen length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Pollen production.—Moderate.         -   Blooming period.—Medium, one day after ‘Santa Rosa’ plum             (unpatented).         -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 1, 2007.         -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 7, 2007.         -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient             temperature.         -   Bloom density.—Heavy.         -   Number per cluster.—2 to 10, average 5.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Sep. 10, 2007. -   Date of first picking: Aug. 28, 2007. -   Date of last picking: Sep. 10, 2007. -   Size: Uniform, Large.     -   -   Average diameter axially.—2¾″ [70 mm.].         -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2⅞″ [73 mm.].         -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2⅞″ [73 mm.].         -   Typical weight.—7.1 ounces [201 grams]. -   Form: Uniform, mostly globose, symmetrical.     -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Slightly oblate to elliptical.         -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round. -   Suture: An inconspicuous line located in a very shallow groove     extending from the base and discontinuing at the apex. -   Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped toward the base. -   Lips: Equal. -   Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side.     -   -   Depth.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Breadth.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.]. -   Base: Somewhat truncate, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture. -   Apex: Rounded. -   Pistil point: An inconspicuous dot. -   Stem: Medium.     -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].         -   Average width.— 5/64″ [2.0 mm.]. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.         -   Astringency.—Slight.         -   Tendency to crack.—Slight.         -   Color.—A Very deep red [14. v. deep red] and Dark grayish             yellow [91. d.gy.Y] mottling with Moderate yellow [87. m.Y]             freckling stronger toward the apex.         -   Bloom.—Abundant. -   Flesh:     -   -   Color.—Deep red [13. deep R] toward the skin, Strong red             [12. s.R] toward stone.         -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Very red [11. v.R]             broken fibers when twisted away from stone.         -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.         -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.         -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.         -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier toward the apex.         -   Flavor.—A tasty blend of acid and sugar, typically 20 brix.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Eating quality.—Outstanding.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Form: Oval. -   Hilum: Narrow, oblong. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex: Acuminate, with a sharp 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] tip. -   Sides: Somewhat unequal. -   Surface: Rough throughout with some shallow vertical ridges and a     deep groove from base to apex on each side of the dorsal fin. -   External color of stone: Dark reddish orange [38. d.r0] when first     removed. -   Pit wall color when cracked: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. -   Cavity surface color: Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY]. -   Average pit wall thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm]. -   Average width: ¼″ [19.1 mm.]. -   Average length: 1″ [25.4 mm.]. -   Average breadth: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. -   Tendency to split: None observed. -   Kernel:     -   -   Form.—Oval.         -   Skin color.—Light olive brown [94. l.OlBr].         -   Pellicle color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].         -   Vein color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].         -   Taste.—Bitter.         -   Viable.—Yes.         -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].         -   Average length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].         -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

Use

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good     condition after 30 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°     Celsius]. -   Shipping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of interspecific tree possesses the described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus sp. tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is similar to ‘September YUMMY’ plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220) by being self-unfruitful and by producing fruit that is mostly red in skin color, that is clingstone in type, and that is very good in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, that has red and yellow mottling on the skin, that is dark red in flesh color, and that matures about two weeks earlier. 